Online Talk: Are We Born Gay?

Sexual orientation is a very fundamental part of our nature. People often refer to the “gay persuasion” but we cannot be persuaded by anyone to be to be gay any more than we are persuaded to be straight. We are what we are and no amount of preaching, seduction, contagion, coercion or “therapy” will make much difference. The minority preference for same-sex partners is every bit as normal as lefthandedness.

Dr Wilson reviews the substantial modern evidence that sex orientation is largely established by the time of birth, not just by genes but also by prenatal environment and by epigenetics (modifications to gene expression occurring at a very early stage of development). He also considers some of the survival value of homosexuality - reasons why it has not been eliminated by natural selection and should not be threatened by genetic engineering. Much of this research was his own, conducted in collaboration with Dr Qazi Rahman, who continues to be a frontline contributor to the field. Together, they co-authored the book Born Gay (published by Peter Owen Ltd).

Dr Wilson introduced the 2D:4D finger-ratio measure that is widely used in this research as a marker of prenatal testosterone exposure. He also pioneered the evolutionary theories of sexual behaviour which serve as a framework for much of the research discussed in this presentation.